Biblically we see the Body of Christ referred to the modern Church as well as the individuals who make up that church. Collectively we become the Body of Christ. Paul makes it clear that although we are one, we all have a part to play. We are all needed.
I feel like that is really easy to visualize and picture. But do we actually believe that? If we did our actions, words, and thoughts would reflect that.
We’ve made it a habit in our home to tell the girls everyday that they are needed. Before our oldest gets out of the car in the morning she hears: “You were created with a purpose and you are needed in this family, in your classroom, in the school, and in the world.”
I pray as they get older that seeps into their hearts and they live that out. It was a struggle for me for years to understand this. Understand that no matter what I had a role AND those around me had a role to play in my life. With each new church, new community, new member of the body introduced, meant a hole being filled very uniquely. Through all of this the question I begin to ask myself is this: Do I actually believe that I am needed and that others are needed in the Body?
If I truly believed this than others gifts would not threaten my own. Their success would not cause me to cringe a bit or think envious thoughts. Ouch right? Seeing another member of the body succeed and Glorify God would bring me joy. It would bring me to my knees in a joyful prayer. Are we responding that way?
If I truly believed in the Body of Christ than criticism from the church would not birth bitterness. It would birth change. It would birth a deeper relationship with my father. When my husband comes to me with a concern for my heart, I would not view him as an enemy rather a vessel for Gods voice.
If I truly believed this than plugging into my church and local Body would be an urgent matter for me. I know I need them. I know they complete the picture. I know I am needed. That my gifts are needed the way God has called me to steward them. I would be plugged into the local body. Period.
I think so many of us get caught up in the fact that many of us were given the same gifts but we forget that God has called us to steward them differently. Though many, we are still one body. You and I may share the same gift from God but He may call us to use them very differently. He may call us to use them exactly the same. If that’s the case, wonderful. Let’s do this!
Ultimately the big picture is this: Do we believe in the Body of Christ to the point that we are urgently praying and chasing the hearts of those not in it yet? Do we know that they are needed? That until they step into the body there is a void here in the body on earth that only they can fill. If we believed this our urgency to share Jesus and His kingdom would burn deep inside of us pouring out daily.
As believers we need to understand that their hearts are vital to the big picture. As a nonbeliever, I pray you know that you are a vital part to the Body of Christ.
Let us pray for a revelation of our own gifts and place in the body as well as the ability to recognize others gifts and place in the Body.
You are needed and vital in the Body of Christ.
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